ENGLISH
REFERENCE

have a look at sth

fixed phr..
A2 Elementary Oxford

fixed phr.. To look at something, usually for a short time, to check it or get information. It's a more informal way to say 'examine'.

fixed phr.. A common delexical verb construction used to direct someone's attention to something, often for a brief inspection or evaluation. It functions as a less direct and more informal alternative to the imperative 'look at'.


SIMPLE

Can you have a look at my car?

CONTEXTUAL

The doctor will have a look at that cut on your arm in a moment.

COMPLEX

Before publishing the report, the editor wanted to have a look at the final data to ensure its absolute integrity.

Usage

This phrase is a common and slightly more polite way to ask someone to examine something.

Teaching tip

Contrast this with 'take a look at', which is a near-synonym, and the more direct imperative 'look at this'.

Pitfall

Have look at this.Have a look at this.The noun 'look' requires the indefinite article 'a' in this fixed phrase.

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